The Spanish Ministry of Defence has confirmed a contract for 18 Airbus C295 aircraft to replace the country’s legacy CN235 and C212 platforms used for military transport and training. The deal was announced in Madrid, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026 and conclude in 2028.
The procurement aims to unify Spain’s military transport fleet around the C295 platform, expanding its existing reliance on the type for various operational roles. The order will bring the Spanish Air and Space Force’s total C295 inventory to 46 units.
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Under the contract terms, the first batch will support pilot and paratrooper training at the Military Air Transport School in Salamanca. A second group of aircraft is slated for more advanced parachuting and cargo drop missions at the Military Parachuting School in Alcantarilla, with these deliveries planned between 2030 and 2032.
Airbus Defence and Space stated that the agreement serves Spain’s strategic autonomy and supports the national aerospace sector. “According to Airbus Defence and Space, the contract supports Spain’s strategic autonomy while reinforcing the national aerospace industrial base,” Airbus Defence and Space, company.
The C295 has been a core element of Spain’s airlift capability since its introduction, serving in transport, maritime patrol, and surveillance missions. The new contract includes a tailored ground training system to meet the Air and Space Force’s operational requirements.
Airbus reports over 280 C295s ordered worldwide, with the type also in service in countries such as India, Egypt, and Poland. Spain’s decision to consolidate its tactical airlift fleet around a single platform follows similar trends among NATO and EU member states seeking logistical and operational standardization.